Latest news with #AlanMacGregorEwing
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Glasgow nightclub to be completely transformed after council approves plans
Read on to discover what will be inside the former disco DISCO CHANGE Iconic Glasgow nightclub to be completely transformed after council approves plans PLANS to transform an iconic Glasgow venue into student accommodation have been approved. The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street has lain empty for seven years after it was damaged by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art. Advertisement 4 Glasgow's O2 ABC was ripped apart by a demolition crews Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 4 The Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh building was destroyed by fire Credit: PA 4 Plans were revealed to transform a Glasgow venue into student accommodation Credit: PR Handout The legendary music venue was unable to open its doors after it was ruined by the devastating blaze in June 2018. Flames from the art school spread to the ABC and tore through the building, as well as Jumping Jaks, the pub next door. And the O2 ABC has been derelict and lying abandoned ever since, with locals frequently branding the site an "eyesore". But now a huge transformation has been approved and is scheduled for completion in summer 2028. Advertisement James Rooke, Planning Director, Vita Group said: 'Over the past two years, we've worked closely with Glasgow City Council and other key stakeholders on a scheme that will become a landmark destination for Glasgow. "We are delighted with the news today and are as eager as everyone to get started on site and help towards the regeneration of this part of Sauchiehall Street. 'Our aim has always been to regenerate this anchor site by bringing forward exciting plans which celebrate the city's best independent food and minds. "The beautifully designed destination food hall will breathe new life into this iconic location creating a place for the people of Glasgow to come and enjoy together whilst revitalising Sauchiehall Street. Advertisement "Meanwhile the student accommodation above will play a pivotal role in reducing the number of students finding their way into Glasgow's private rented accommodation in their second and third years.' The development will feature a ground floor food hall providing space for five emerging food brands as well as a large bar. Secret Gig: Fans React to Screwfish Mystery Show in Glasgow Moving from day into night the food hall will become an events space featuring music, entertainment and a community hub. The student accommodation will offer 356 bed spaces comprising 306, four, five and six bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge, and 50 studio spaces. Advertisement It will also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges and cycle storage. Elsewhere the Glasgow School of Art has reportedly raised concerns over the rebuild of the O2 ABC.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Plans to transform iconic Glasgow nightclub take major step forward
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PLANS to transform an iconic Glasgow venue have taken a major step forward after being submitted to councillors. The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street has lain empty for seven years after it was damaged by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art. 5 The O2 ABC suffered extensive damage after the blaze at the Glasgow School of Art in June 2018 Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Bulldozers demolished the building in October 2024 Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 5 New plans will see the site turned into a new development with student accommodation Credit: VITA GROUP The legendary music venue was unable to open its doors after it was ruined by the devastating blaze in June 2018. Flames from the art school spread to the ABC and tore through the building, as well as Jumping Jaks, the pub next door. And the O2 ABC has been derelict and lying abandoned ever since, with locals frequently branding the site an "eyesore". But in January year, plans were revealed to revive the site by developer Vita Group to transform it into modern student accommodation. The plans involve tearing down the C-listed building and replacing it with the new development, which would house 356 students. This first part was carried out in the following October with bulldozers demolishing the huge building. Around 306 of the spaces will be in four, five and six-bedroom flats, and there will also be 50 studio apartments in the new complex. The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar. There would also be space for bars, a gym and a courtyard. The firm previously said it believes adding the private student halls to the site will help revitalise one of Scotland's busiest streets, which has been left to fall into a "sad and sorry" state. Huge fire erupts at Glasgow School of Art before spreading to O2 music venue as Sauchiehall Street is evacuated And now, councillors have been urged to approve the new plans after an application was submitted this week. However, the document submitted to Glasgow City Council admits that the proposed plans have a "significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area", according to the Glasgow Times. It adds that "the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area". However, despite this, councillors are still being recommended to approve the new development. The official recommendation states that "this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site". This is because the new site could bring a huge £70million investment to Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street if it is successful. James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, told the Glasgow Times: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. "It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. DJ playing Glasgow's O2 ABC at time of School of Art fire tells of 'blind panic' THE O2 ABC DJ who was playing at the time of the massive blaze which tore the building apart has described the moment the club was evacuated during his set. Grant Robertson, 24, was playing the club with his friend Lewis Wake at the time of the fire which started in the Glasgow School of Art. The flames spread to the adjacent O2 ABC and Campus nightclub and the roof of the Sauchiehall Street club was engulfed in a raging inferno. Grant and Lewis were interrupted by security guards who urged them to turn the music off and get out of the building. He said: "It was crazy and bizarre. It was a blind panic. It was about 11pm when we were ushered out. "Security did a great job - they came up and told us to turn the music off and said 'the Art School is on fire everybody needs to get out.' "Everyone was ushered to the exits and even on the street the did a good job of shepherding folk out. "I was just in shock. I was on auto pilot. It still hasn't sunk in." Read the story here 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber, added: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. "There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.' The ABC building was first built in 1875 and was later rebuilt in the 1920s, and has had several renovations over the years. Before it had been tragically burnt down in the fire, it was regarded as one of the city's busiest and most distinguished live-music venues. It currently sits between Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building. 5 Councillors have been urged to approve the new plans Credit: VITA GROUP
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Woods sealed off amid search for missing Scottish teenager
CLOSED OFF Woods sealed off amid search for missing Scottish teenager Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOODED area has been sealed off amid the search for a missing Scottish teenager. Cops have cordoned off the scene on Merchiston Road in Falkirk. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Cops have sealed off a section of woodland Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 6 Police tape has closed off the area Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 6 Officers are standing guard at the scene Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing Police tape has been placed around the trees and a police car is parked along the canal path. More cordons have been set up on the other side of the woods along the A9, with more officers guarding the scene. The incident in the woodland is currently not known. It comes amid an ongoing search for a missing teenager in the area. Cole Cooper, 19, went missing from Falkirk over a week ago. The teen, from Banknock, had been to the First Down pub in Denny on Saturday May 3 before heading to a party at a friend's house around 3am. He last spoke with a friend around 6am on Sunday May 4 before going missing and hasn't been in contact with his family since. This was the same time he was spotted on CCTV in Longcroft. The last known sighting of Cole was on May 7, when an associate saw him on Glasgow Road, Longcroft. He was officially reported missing on May 9. Body Found in Search for Missing 72-Year-Old Sailor off Scottish Coast A major search has been launched with specialist resources called in to help find him. Cops are growing "increasingly concerned" for him. They issued a description of Cole in the hopes someone can come forward with information on his whereabouts. 6 Cole Cooper has been missing for over a week 6 Specialist resources have been called in to help find him Credit: Facebook Inspector Neil Wotherspoon, Falkirk Police Office, said: 'We are increasingly concerned for Cole's welfare and have carried out extensive enquiries in the area with specialist resources. "We would ask anyone who has seen him, or knows where he might be to get in touch. I would also like to appeal to Cole himself to contact family, friends or our officers. 'Anyone with information about Cole's whereabouts should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 828 of 9 May 2025.' Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers icons reunite to mark 20 years since famous moment in club's history – including rarely spotted cult hero
He made a bigger impact at Gers than expected OLD FRIENDS REUNITED Rangers icons reunite to mark 20 years since famous moment in club's history – including rarely spotted cult hero Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GROUP of Rangers legends reunited this weekend to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most famous moment's in the club's history. And among them was a certain cult hero who fans have rarely heard from - or even seen - since he left Ibrox. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Can you name all the players in this picture? 4 Rangers celebrate winning the title in 2004-05 Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow The year 2025 marks 20 years since Helicopter Sunday, when the Light Blues pulled off a miracle to snatch the Premiership title from Celtic's grasp on the final day of the season. Heading into the last game of the campaign, Celtic were ahead on points by 92 to 90. Gers beat Hibs 1-0 in Edinburgh thanks to a goal from Nacho Novo but with the Hoops winning by the same scoreline at Motherwell it looked like they would retain their league crown. But two stunning late strikes from Scott McDonald tipped the race in the favour of Rangers, as Celtic went down 2-1 at Fir Park. The famous line in commentary - 'The helicopter is changing direction' - was immediately etched in Scottish football folklore, as the aircraft carrying the league trophy was forced to about turn from Lanarkshire and head to the capital. That day ranks as one of the most iconic in the history of Rangers and the players involved almost immediately gained hero status. Five Stars Limited organised a tribute night and invited six players from the squad to the event, held at the Hilton DoubleTree in Glasgow. The former stars appeared on stage alongside former boss Alex McLeish, each of them answering questions and talking about their own experiences of that odds-defying day. Novo and McLeish were joined by Marvin Andrews, Thomas Buffel, Alex Rae and current interim boss Barry Ferguson, who had only just rejoined Gers in the second half of the Helicopter Sunday season. And the final member of the group was ex-goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus. Rangers fans defiant banner after tifo criticism The Dutchman has scarcely been seen in Scotland since his departure from Rangers a year after Helicopter Sunday. He initially joined Gers in the 2005 January transfer window from Manchester City due to an injury to Stefan Klos. A member of PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie-winning teams of the late nineties and early noughties, Waterreus eventually took over the No.1 jersey from German international Klos. He left with a rising Allan McGregor ready to step in between the sticks and would go on to play for AZ Alkmaar and New York Red Bulls before retiring. Now 54, he has kept a relatively low profile since hanging up his gloves, save for the odd media appearance and briefly venturing into the world of business with his own goalie glove company. Waterreus also played in the testimonial for Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen, who was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. He looked barely recognisable from his time at Gers at the Five Stars event, his trademark messy and curly locks now ditched for a slick, wavy look. Five Stars thanked the fans who attended and described the do as a "great evening". The company said in a social media post: "A great evening spent with some legends of the club commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 'Helicopter Sunday'. "Thank you to everyone who joined us. We hope you had a good time." 4 Ronald Waterreus during his Rangers days Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 Waterreus can be seen in the second row, third from the left Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
People left stunned after learning Scottish town's real name
One person joked: 'The hardest working apostrophe in Scotland.' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOLK have been left stunned after realising the real name of a Scottish town. Most travellers wouldn't bat an eyelid when they see signs for Bo'ness, just outside the Falkirk area. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 People couldn't believe that Bo'ness wasn't the real name. Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 2 It was a fun fact for a lot of folk. Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing But it turns out that it's actually called something completely different and has been abbreviated. The proper name is Borrowstounness - unlikely to fit on road signs hence the shortened title. It became a fun talking point on the Dull Mens Club Facebook page where members were sussing out the place names with the most apostrophes. One person joked: "The hardest working apostrophe in Scotland is the one on Bo'ness." People were surprised by the revelation and admitted they had no idea this was the case. A shellshocked poster wrote: "I always thought it was just Bo'ness. " It didn't occur to me that it stood for something else." Another said: "I did not know this. Epic!" Someone quipped: "That's the official name but don't think anybody has called it that in years." "I know a few people from there and I've never in my life heard anybody say the full name before." Watch this MP say the longest place name in Parliament And Bo'ness wasn't the only Scottish place that was mentioned as an example for punctuation that does some heavy lifting . People posted signs for Stenhousemuir which is shortened to St'nh's'm'r on some signs. A local joked: "It's how we locals pronounce it unless just calling it Stenny, plus it saved a lot of paint." Another added: "Stenny resident here. "Proud of that sign. "Although two of the apostrophes replace single letters and therefore don't save any space."
